Air pollution control method

ABSTRACT

A mixture of seeding, pollutant inhibiting, and co-alescing chemicals are vaporized and dispersed in a jetting action into the atmosphere to provide an aggregate of nuclei on the order of subcolloidal approximately submicromolecular sizes upon which nucleations of water vapor in the atmosphere take place free from adjacent nucleations to form water droplets and ice crystals with accompanying releases of latent heat, the water droplets, ice crystals further serving as nuclei in a breeding action for a chain reaction of latent heat releases with the vaporized coalescing chemicals aiding in the coalescence of water droplets and the released latent heat diffuses upwardly in an outward expansion to produce an updraft whereby to puncture atmospheric inversions and inhibit the formation of secondary pollutants.

United States Patent [191 Bosco [451 Jan. 8, 1974 AIR POLLUTION CONTROLMETHOD [76] Inventor: Francis N. Bosco, 6119 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge,Colo. 80033 [22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 207,595

[52] US. Cl 239/2 R [51] Int. Cl..... E01b 1/00, EOlb 21/00, E01b 25/28[58] Field of Search 239/2 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,630,950 12/1971 Papee et al. 239/2 R 3,654,175 4/1972 Henderson 239/2R Primary ExaminerLloyd L. King Attorney-Reilly and Lewis ABSTRACT Amixture of seeding, pollutant inhibiting, and coalescing chemicals arevaporized and dispersed in a jetting action into the atmosphere toprovide an aggregate of nuclei on the order of subcolloidalapproximately submicromolecular sizes upon which nucleations of watervapor in the atmosphere take place free from adjacent nucleations toform water droplets and ice crystals with accompanying releases oflatent heat, the water droplets, ice crystals further serving as nucleiin a breeding action for a chain reaction of latent heat releases withthe vaporized coalescing chemicals aiding in the coalescence of waterdroplets and the released latent heat diffuses upwardly in an outwardexpansion to produce an updraft whereby to puncture atmosphericinversions and inhibit the formation of secondary pollutants.

12 Claims, N0 Drawings 1 AIR POLLUTION CONTROL METHOD BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally to alterations of existingatmospheric conditions and more particularly to a novel method forcontrolling air pollution.

The quality of the atmosphere has become a matter of increasing concern.The levels of air pollution must be lowered for the reasons of health,esthetics and economics. One approach to air pollution has beenabatement at the source but to date the costs of emission control areenormous and substantially impractical.

Presently the chief sources of air pollution are waste products ofcombustion. The burning of coal and oil results in the production ofsulfur and nitrogen Oxide. The gasoline engine produces carbon monoxideand unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Solar energy issignificant in producing reactions with the above primary pollutants toproduce oxidants as secondary pollutants.

Atmospheric layering or inversions tend to trap pollutants and promotethe most severe atmospheric pollution. A number of techniques are beingutilized to monitor the pollution levels but at the present time thereare no practical methods of substantially reducing or eliminating thedeleterious pollutants from the atmosphere. A change in themeterological conditions such as an increase in wind velocity andincreased air turbulence is one natural method available to remove thepollutants which collect as a result of stratefied air. Rain and snoware also a natural method available to remove pollutants. Some attempthas been made to add chemicals to the atmosphere to reduce pollution. InU. S. Pat. No. 3,084,024 iodine, bromine or chlorine are introduced intothe atmosphere to inhibit photochemical reactions. In U. S. Pat. No.3,499,723 a solution of ammonium iodide is sprayed in a mist from anaerosol container to suppress atmospheric pollution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a highlyeffective method of reducing smog forming pollutants in the atmosphereutilizing a novel seeding technique which causes releases of latent heatfrom the condensation of water vapor into droplets and the congealing ofthe droplets into ice crystals which in turn serve as nuclei for a chainreaction of heat releases which induces an updraft so as to pierce theinversion layer and at the same time the chemicals used inhibitorprevent the formation of secondary or oxidant pollution products. In thepast the approach for seeding clouds for producing rain has been toplace excessive amounts of nuclei in the atmosphere to induce rainfall.The present invention departs from the previous cloud seeding methodsemployed in that in the method of the present invention only very minuteaggregates of nuclei and specifically colloidal approximatelysub-micromolecular sizes are dispersed in a volume of atmosphere in sucha way that nucleations take place free from adjacent nucleations withthe water droplets and ice crystals formed serving as nuclei in a chainreaction of latent heat releases with an accompanying coalescing ofwater droplets to increase the reaction to release large amounts oflatent heat which in turn produces an updraft capable of moving thepollutants up through stratified atmosphere.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providea simple, effective and relatively low cost method of reducing thepollution content in the atmosphere.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a novelmethod of reducing the pollutants in the air utilizing the latent heatproduced by the dispersal of nucleating particles which cause watervapor in the atmosphere to condense and congeal.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel method ofreducing the pollutants in the atmosphere or preventing pollutionformation by dispersing chemicals in such a way that nucleations occurfree from an adjacent nucleation to avoid massive reactions andself-quenching of the release of latent heat so that individualnucleations take place free from the effect of adjacent nucleations in achain reaction of nucleations which in turn produces an updraft topuncture stratified layers of air.

A preferred technique of producing the release of latent heat from watervapor is to provide a mixture of chemicals including silver iodidehaving both nuclei producing and pollutant inhibiting properties whenvaporized, sulphur which aids in the coalescence of water drops and achemical such as barium sulphate and potassium nitrate and havingcombustible properties, the mixture being placed in a container having arestricted or venturi-like throat so that as the chamicals burn ajetting effect is produced which causes a dispersion of an aggregate ofnuclei in a spatial relation to cause the desired isolated releases ofthe latent heat from the water vapor in the atmosphere, with the waterdroplets and ice crystals produced serving as nuclei for a chainreaction of latent heat releases. The sulphur aids in the coalescence ofwater droplets to increase the nucleations.

A device which has been found effective in producing this jetting effectis similar in construction to a railroad-type signal flare and includesa tubular body with a series of axially spaced venturi rings dividingthe tubular body into a plurality of tubular sections. A mixture ofchemicals comprising a charge is placed in each tubular section. Thecharge is ignited and the flame jets through the venturi rings whichhave a restricted throat causing vaporization of the chemicals into anaggregation of nuclei which may be characterized as colloidal andsubstantially sub-micromolecular in size. An approximate size for thisaggregate of nuclei is about the cube root of Avagadros number of 6.02 X10 molecules in a mass of a gas. The radius of each nuclei is estimatedto be about 0.005 micron or smaller and a concentration of about 0.1parts per million.

The following specific example sets forth the results obtained byutilizing the teachings of the present invention:

tubular section In the above example the silver iodide is a source ofnucleating particles which initiate the nucleations to cause the watervapor to condense into water droplets and congeal the water dropletsinto low crystals with an accompanying release of latent heat. For waterthe release of latent heat from vapor to liquid is about 540 caloriesper gram and from a liquid to solid is about 79.7 calories per gram. Fora small storm of one kilometer radius with one centimeter of waterprecipitated, the mass of water precipitated is about 30,000 tons, whichcorresponds with a heat release of 2 X calories as latent heat. Thevaporized silver iodide is also a source of hologens which in theatmosphere inhibit the formation of secondary pollutants known asoxidants and discussed more fully in U. S. Pat. No. 3,084,024. Thesulphur, its isotopes, and the products of combustion act as an activeagent in aiding coalescence of the water drops hence aiding in thereaction. The barium sulphate and potassium nitrate produce the heat.Additionally, it may be found desirable at times to add small amounts ofvarious other substances to modify the charge to further promote one ofthe above stages. Such additions may be incorporated in the chargewithout departing from the scope of the invention.

In the above example the charge was burned for 5, l0, 15 minuteintervals. The flare devices were stationed at approximately 2 to l0mile intervals.

With the burning of the flare there is an initial nucleation stagewhereby the vaporized silver iodide particles produce nucleations byhaving the water vapor condense thereon into droplets and some of thedroplets also congeal into the ice crystals. The next stage is abreeding stage wherein each droplet and ice crystal cause the watervapor to condense-and congeal in a chain reaction of latent heatreleases. The coalescing chemical aids in coalescence of the formedwater droplets to aid in the reaction. The third stage is a diffusionstage whereby the latent heat released rises and expands to cause adraft capable of puncturing stratified layers of atmosphere whichcontribute greatly to undesirable pollution conditions.

It is appreciated that the release of chemicals in. accordance with thepresent invention are useful in preventing the buildup of pollutants inthe atmosphere as well as reducing their concentration. In other wordsif the meteorological data indicated future buildup the releases of thechemicals could be made to inhibit formation. Moreover, the releases maybe timed to allow them to be carried with a rapid air movement toward anarea of high pollutant levels to reduce the pollutant concentration.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade by way of example and that changes in details of structure may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof.

. What is claimed is:

l. A method of controlling pollutants in atmosphere comprising the stepsof:

vaporizing a charge of chemicals having nuclei producing, pollutantinhibiting, and combustible properties,

dispersing the vaporized chemicals in such a way as to produce anaggregate of nuclei of approximately submicromolecular sizes into theatmosphere upon which nucleations of water vapor take place free fromadjacent nucleations to form water droplets and ice crystals with anaccompanying release of latent heat to initiate a chain reaction ofnucleations releasing additional latent heat to produce 4 an updraftwhich is capable of moving the pollutants upwardly through stratifiedatmosphere, the vaporized chemicals combining with solar energy toinhibit the formation of secondary pollutants.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said chemicals are vaporizedby burning in a flame.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said chemicals are dispersedby jetting the burning chemicals into the atmosphere.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said chemicals includesilver iodide, sulfur, barium sulfate and potassium nitrate.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the vaporized silver iodideproduces halide particles which serve to inhibit the formation ofoxidants.

6. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said silver iodide comprisesbetween about 0.01 and about 0.1 weight percent of the charge.

7. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sulphur comprisesbetween about 0.5 and about 7 weight percent of the charge.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said aggregate nuclei areapproximately 0.005 micron and smaller and are at a concentration ofapproximately 0.1 parts per million.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said updraft produces a lowpressure system to draw air upward from the surface of the ground over aone-half mile to several mile radius.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said releases are atselected spaced 2 to 10 mile intervals at ground stations.

11. A method of controlling the pollutants resulting from the combustionprocesses for a volume of the atmosphere which are maintained due tostagnant air layers comprising the steps of:

releasing a controlled amount of colloidal, approximatelysub-micromolecular nuclei into the atmosphere in such a way as to placeapproximately a one molecule nuclei upon which nucleations of watervapor take place to produce water droplets and ice crystals with arelease of latent heat to in itiate a chain reaction of nucleations ofthe water vapor in the atmosphere free from adjacent condensationswhereby the latent heat released produces an updraft effect whichcontributes to the movement of the pollutants upwardly in theatmosphere.

12. A method of controlling pollutants in the atmosphere comprising thesteps of:

vaporizing a charge of chemicals consisting essentially of silveriodide, sulphur, barium sulfate and potassium nitrate and dispersing thevaporized chamicals through a venturilike throat by burning to producean aggregate of nuclei of approximately submicromolecular sizes into.the atmosphere upon which nucleations of water vapor take place freefrom adjacent nucleations to form water droplets and ice crystals withan accompanying release of latent heat to produce an updraft which iscapable of moving the pollutants upwardly through stratified atmosphere,the vaporized chemicals coalescing the water droplets and combining thesolar energy to inhibit the formation of secondary pollutants.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said chemicals are vaporizedby burning in a flame.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidchemicals are dispersed by jetting the burning chemicals into theatmosphere.
 4. A method as set foRth in claim 1 wherein said chemicalsinclude silver iodide, sulfur, barium sulfate and potassium nitrate. 5.A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the vaporized silver iodideproduces halide particles which serve to inhibit the formation ofoxidants.
 6. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said silver iodidecomprises between about 0.01 and about 0.1 weight percent of the charge.7. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sulphur comprisesbetween about 0.5 and about 7 weight percent of the charge.
 8. A methodas set forth in claim 1 wherein said aggregate nuclei are approximately0.005 micron and smaller and are at a concentration of approximately 0.1parts per million.
 9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidupdraft produces a low pressure system to draw air upward from thesurface of the ground over a one-half mile to several mile radius.
 10. Amethod as set forth in claim 1 wherein said releases are at selectedspaced 2 to 10 mile intervals at ground stations.
 11. A method ofcontrolling the pollutants resulting from the combustion processes for avolume of the atmosphere which are maintained due to stagnant air layerscomprising the steps of: releasing a controlled amount of colloidal,approximately sub-micromolecular nuclei into the atmosphere in such away as to place approximately a one molecule nuclei upon whichnucleations of water vapor take place to produce water droplets and icecrystals with a release of latent heat to initiate a chain reaction ofnucleations of the water vapor in the atmosphere free from adjacentcondensations whereby the latent heat released produces an updrafteffect which contributes to the movement of the pollutants upwardly inthe atmosphere.
 12. A method of controlling pollutants in the atmospherecomprising the steps of: vaporizing a charge of chemicals consistingessentially of silver iodide, sulphur, barium sulfate and potassiumnitrate and dispersing the vaporized chamicals through a venturi-likethroat by burning to produce an aggregate of nuclei of approximatelysub-micromolecular sizes into the atmosphere upon which nucleations ofwater vapor take place free from adjacent nucleations to form waterdroplets and ice crystals with an accompanying release of latent heat toproduce an updraft which is capable of moving the pollutants upwardlythrough stratified atmosphere, the vaporized chemicals coalescing thewater droplets and combining the solar energy to inhibit the formationof secondary pollutants.